"I think it's important to have a partner who has a strongunderstanding of the real estate finance side of the industry,"says Griggs. "It's imperative that we continue to grow the mortgagebanking side of our business, and in a partnership role I will beinstrumental in helping NB&S move forward, adapt, and keep ourstrategic edge."

Griggs joins five others in the ownership of the company:President J. Clayton Hering, Joseph F. Wood, H. Roger Qualman, JanRobertson, and Chris Johnson. "(Griggs') strong background infinance makes him a valuable addition to the partnership, and willadd a fresh element to the company's ongoing development of ourculture, vision and strategic initiatives," says Hering.

In 1993, when Griggs joined the firm, the finance departmentcompleted over $67 million in loan production. In 2000, thedepartment completed over $329 million in loans committed andclosed. Since joining NB&S, Griggs alone has originated financetransactions of roughly half a billion throughout theNorthwest.